REVEALED - Ambitious final plan submitted for Droitwich's Chateau Impney and the Impney Estate - The Droitwich Standard

REVEALED - Ambitious final plan submitted for Droitwich's Chateau Impney and the Impney Estate

Droitwich Editorial 13th Apr, 2022 Updated: 12th May, 2022   0

AN AMBITIOUS planning application to restore the Chateau Impney to its former glory and safeguard the long-term future of the Impney Estate has been submitted to Wychavon District Council.

Key to the proposals are the demolition of newer obsolete buildings, car parks and extensions which impinge on Impney Hall’s aesthetic beauty and reinstating historic parkland surrounding the ‘chateau’ so it is close to Salt King John Corbett’s original creation.

The green space increase will lead to a 42 per cent ‘biodiversity gain’ – almost unheard of in any planning application – and 990 per cent more hedgerow.




The development would be ‘green belt neutral’ and drainage on the site would be significantly improved by the extra parkland.

Impney Hall will be retained as a hotel and restaurant and, to ensure sustainability, the large conference and exhibition facilities will be replaced by ‘Little Impney’ – a sympathetic estate village of 127 properties and four new commercial premises. Originally, up to 200 homes were planned but that has been scaled back.


How Impney Hall looks now (left) and how it will look under the proposals (right). s

As well as being screened and away from the main hall, sympathetic development is at the forefront of the homes with the formal walled garden to the west – another nod to to the original site – and Impney Field to the east.

The properties – on what would have historically been the estate’s working area – will more meet current and future national housing design and environmental standards, boasting elements such as air source heat pumps and home working space.

Going through the centre of Little Impney will be the existing John Corbett Way and its landscape will be enhanced by adjoining pathways.

Some of the older buildings, hardstanding and car parking (left) will be replaced with restored historic parkland (right). s

South Drive would be reinstated as the main entrance for the hall and Middle Drive for the overall estate.

New pedestrian and cycle routes along South Drive would improve access to the hall and its picturesque parkland, enhance transport links and encouraging sustainable travel.

And there will be added allotment space, play space for children, circular walks, wildflower meadows, native trees, plants and shrubs.

Existing businesses will be retained on-site apart from a current storage business.

More than 160 people participated in the innovative pre-planning application consultation which gleaned overwhelmingly positive responses.

Rod Spollon, the managing director of site owner Greyfort Group, said he was delighted to have received so much feedback and thanked everyone who helped shape the final plan.

“This is the first step to implementing our long-term estate masterplan to realise a sustainable future for the Impney Estate.

“As its custodians we are committed to ensuring the preservation and enhancement of one of Worcestershire’s most iconic buildings and realising the full potential of one of Droitwich’s largest brownfield regeneration opportunities.”

And he vowed to keep the community involved in the proposals for the estate and informed throughout the planning process.

Visit www.impneyestate.co.uk for more on the final plans, the masterplan, the consultation results and the latest updates.

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